Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Juliette?”
It takes effort to blink out of the stupor that’s fallen over me before forcing my attention away from my boyfriend to meet Aaron’s muddy brown eyes. There’s a lopsided smile on his face.
“Sorry. What did you say?”
“Just that I stand corrected about chemical attraction. You were right. It exists.”
A blush hits my cheeks as a grin lifts my lips. “Yeah, it does.”
And I’m proof of that.
His gaze flickers to Ryder as he takes him in for a second or two. “If he makes you happy, then everything worked out for the best.”
“He does.” More than anyone else ever could. More than I ever thought possible. I spent years looking for love and here it was, right beneath my nose.
Aaron leans a bit closer before dropping his voice. “So…does he have any buff friends who might be interested in going out with a nerdy med student?”
My eyes widen and I’m just barely able to keep my lower jaw from coming unhinged. After swallowing down my surprise, I say, “I’m not sure, but I’ll check and get back to you.”
“Excellent. Keep me posted.”
With a nod, I throw my arms around his wiry form and hug him tightly. “I’m really going to miss you next year.”
“Same.”
We say our goodbyes before I beeline for Ryder. His gaze stays locked on me as I eat up the distance between us.
“Hey, babe,” he says when I’m close enough. “How’d your final go?”
“I don’t know. Hopefully, I passed.”
His blue eyes spark with humor as he shakes his head. “Please. We both know you’ll ruin the curve for everyone else.”
Maybe. We’ll see.
He sets the paperback down and I catch a glimpse of the cover. It’s one of those pretty special edition ones that are so popular right now.
“I’m glad you’re here. I was just getting to the good part.” He waggles his brows. “Chapter twelve.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yup.” His voice dips. “It’s definitely giving me some ideas.”
I drop down beside him before pressing my lips against his. “What kind of ideas?”
“The sexy kind,” he growls.
His tone is enough to have my core dampening with need. “Those are the very best ones.”
“They are, aren’t they?”
“Maybe we should take this back to my place so we can explore them in more depth.”
“Jeez, can’t I go anywhere without seeing you two all over each other?” my brother yells from the cement path that cuts through campus.
We both turn and stare as he shakes his head in disgust. A couple of his teammates grin as they pass by. While Mav doesn’t mind us being together, he has zero desire to see any PDA.
And I can’t blame him for that.
Ryder’s lips bow. “I think getting out of here sounds like an excellent idea.”
It takes fifteen minutes to get back to my apartment. Thankfully, Carina is out, and we have the place all to ourselves.
And then Ryder makes love to me.
Several times.
And yeah…chapter twelve.
It’s some good stuff.
SECOND EPILOGUE
RYDER
Two years later…
I drop my athletic bag in the entryway of our apartment and kick off my shoes. After being on the road for a ten-day stretch, it’s good to be home again. I missed my girl.
Fuck, did I miss my girl.
The only thing I can think about right now is getting my hands on her.
Even though we FaceTimed as much as we could, it wasn’t nearly enough. And it sure as hell isn’t the same. There’s nothing better than the feel of Juliette wrapped up tight in my arms.
Unless it’s sliding deep inside her sweet heat.
Then, yeah, that’s better.
Being inside her body is like coming home. And after a stint on the road, it’s the first thing I want to do.
My guess is that it’s the same for her.
“Jules,” I call out, raising my voice to be heard throughout the three thousand square foot apartment that has amazing views of Lake Michigan. After graduation, Chicago signed me to a three-year contract.
It’s one of the teams that Coach Philips played for. Our relationship might have started off rocky, but over the course of the season it improved drastically.
Was I as close to him as Coach K?
Nah.
But he’s still someone I call for solid advice when I need it. Maybe he broke me down after my last coach left, but he also helped build me back up. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that adversity makes you stronger. Senior year ended up being one for the record books.
Hello, Frozen Four Championship.
Best damn way to end my college career.
My brows draw together when the apartment remains silent.
Is it possible she’s out?
Maybe studying at the library?
Med school takes up a lot of Juliette’s time, but she’s thriving on the challenge. So far, my girl has straight As.
Disappointment floods through me at the realization that she’s not home to greet me.
That’s a first.
I pull out my cell and hit her number. It takes a couple of seconds for the call to connect. It rings in my ear before the distant sound comes from somewhere in the apartment.